The Lagos State government says there is no cause for alarm for any intending pilgrims that want to embark on the year 2022 Hajj exercise.
This comes as the Saudi Authority barred foreign pilgrims for the second year from performing Hajj due to the prevailing situation of Cvid-19 which is still ravaging the world since it’s emergence in December 2019.
Saudi Arabia has so far recorded more than 463,000 coronavirus infections, including over 7,000 deaths.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Islamic Affairs, Mr Jebe Abdullahi in an interview with Voice of Nigeria explained that adequate arrangements have been made by the State to absorb every intending pilgrims who have committed financially to the process.
Abdullahi said that as soon as restrictions are lifted next year, the State has hatched plans to ensure another memorable Hajj exercise for the pilgrims.
Pilgrims and vaccination
One of the plans according to him was the proper inoculation of the intending pilgrims, even prior to the announcement by the Saudi Authority.
“In the year 2020, we could not perform Hajj despite the fact that many people made full and half payments, and again in 2021, but the introduction of the vaccines was a ray of hope for us as we swiftly vaccinated all our intending pilgrims both in the Muslim and Christians for the first dose, while expecting Hajj.
“And immediately after the cancellation, we have to invite all our pilgrims to give them second dose again, even if they were to perform the Hajj 2022 they would have had the first and second dose at least feel protected against the virus,” he said.
He assured that the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu would soon host the intending pilgrims and address them on the current situation and probably seek from anyone who may wish to be reimbursed or still stay in the process.
More pilgrims
Speaking on the accumulation of numbers of pilgrims which has started since year 2020 and of course again this year, the Special Adviser echoed that it was not an issue, as the State withstand the capacity to accommodate individuals that are willing to embark on the future Hajj exercise in Lagos.
According to him “There is no fear for anyone that made payment for 2020 and leave it till 2021.
“In 2019, the number of slot alloted to Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Board was 4,077 and the Board could not even exhaust the slot because only 2,270 performed Hajj at that year.
“However, in 2020, people that made full payment were over 1,300 but those that made half payment were over 600.
Again, in 2021 the full paid pilgrims that we have already in our portal is 2,717, those that have not completed thier payment are 605. If you add those figure, you will know that we still have enough space to accommodate more people.”
He also mentioned that there was a provision by the State to attend to cases of intending pilgrim who have committed financially, but die before the process.
“If someone who have made full payment dies before the Hajj, the next of kins registered on the form will be contacted while the necessary steps are taken to address it.”
Going forward
He maintained that adequate provisions, from health to welfare and logistics have been made as the state prepares ahead for the next year exercise, which the world is hopeful will hold.
He said: “This year’s Hajj would have been a marvelous one, because the State Governor has done more than necessary in anticipation of the spiritual exercise. Governor has secured a special arrangements for the intending pilgrims. There is what we called Tent-B plus, where welfare of the pilgrims will be optimally cattered for. And Mr Governor has also approved that on the day of Arafat, he will engage directly with the pilgrims to know about thier welfare.”
Abdullahi said those that could not make this year’s Hajj should use the opportunity to pray for Allah to help eradicate all manner of diseases and restore healthy world for us all.
It may interest you to know that Lagos State was the only State in Nigeria that attended this year’s lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Confidence Okwuchi
